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Mac 911
How to remove a firmware password from an Intel Mac
There are many millions of pre-Apple silicon Macs out there that can use a firmware password.
Mac 911
How to set up Find My to alert others to your whereabouts
You can also request that other people allow automatic updates on theirs.
Mac 911
How to quickly access network settings on an iPhone
Shortcuts can help you bypass the tap, tap, tap of the Settings app.
Mac 911
Don't buy locked Apple hardware when shopping for used gear
Apple provides security locks for all its devices and items. Beware buying hardware that hasn’t been unlocked.
Mac 911
How to remove an item from Find My
As long as it’s paired, no one else can use it, and when found, it reports that you own it.
Mac 911
How to control the brightness of your iPhone or iPad
iOS tries to create the optimum brightness setting for you. What if you don't want that?
Mac 911
How to share passwords with Apple's Shared Groups
You can securely share passwords among groups you create.
Mac 911
How to use plants, birds, and other object identifiers in Photos
The Photos app uses machine learning to identify all sorts of flora, fauna, and landmarks.
Mac 911
How to identify unwanted tracking by a compact Bluetooth device
Apple’s AirTag and other trackers emit a continuous Bluetooth signal. You can identify and find them.
Mac 911
How to combine user account data in macOS
If you need fewer accounts on a Mac but want to retain files associated with them, Apple has a pathway by using Delete User.
Mac 911
How to set up Medical ID in the iPhone Health app for emergencies
The Health app lets you provide information about your health and people to contact in case of an emergency.
Mac 911
Can you use an old Mac laptop without a battery?
Be sure you always have power and save constantly.
Mac 911
How to lock/unlock the Recently Deleted and Hidden albums in Photos
Apple upgraded your privacy, but you can disable that change.
Mac 911
How to find an iPhone app that you used to have but is no longer in the App Store
Because of how Apple validates apps for use, you can’t transfer an app among devices that don’t use the same Apple ID.
Mac 911
How to automate cloning your drives on a Mac
If you're concerned about having up-to-the-moment snapshots, it's not hard to set up what you need.
Updated
Time Machine vs iCloud: Do you need to use both?
iCloud might seem like a simple solution to keeping your important data backed up, but it shouldn't be relied on.
Mac 911
Should you keep your MacBook plugged in when you're using it?
Have no fears about battery safety and longevity by keeping your laptop charging while in use or above 80 percent.
Mac 911
Apple Photos: When should you delete files from Imports? Never!
The Imports folder reflects an action.
Mac 911
Mail for macOS: Its two sort options for recent messages and how they work
You may think you've sorted the right way round, only to find you're out of sorts.
Mac 911
How your Mac locks you out for more and more time when entering the wrong password
Apple built this timeout as a security measure. Make sure you don't fall afoul through extreme repetition.
Mac 911
How to restart iCloud Photos syncing when all else fails
Apple offers little debugging help, so you might have to put some elbow grease into finding a solution.
Mac 911
Where did that app go? How to find a missing app on iPhone or iPad
Apple doesn’t direct you to an app, but you can re-add one you’ve deleted from the Home screen.
Mac 911
Should you shut down your Mac when away for long periods?
With modern Macs and batteries, it shouldn't matter, but be aware of backups.
Mac 911
How to disable reading goals in the Books app
Did you know you had set goals before the Books app told you?
Mac 911
How to stop Safari from opening links or files when you use a different Mac browser
Some users report that Safari opens even when they've changed their default surfing app.
Mac 911
'Show Sidebar' option turned off in the Finder? Here's how to bring it back to macOS
Apple links two settings together, which can prevent you from revealing the Finder window sidebar.
Mac 911
How to avoid force ejecting mounted volumes in macOS
Sometimes, an external drive, disk image, or other mounted volume refuses to leave macOS of its own free will.
Mac 911
How to recover deleted notes in the Notes app
There’s an easy way and a hard way to recover lost entries in the Notes app for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
Mac 911
How to fix your mail host refusing to send email from your address
A mail host may prevent you from sending messages it doesn’t think you have permission to send from.
Mac 911
Is your Mac sluggish or running hot? Here's what to do
Sometimes quitting apps and restarting the Mac is the best course of action.
Mac 911
Control a Mac remotely over a local network
If you have multiple Macs in your home or office on the same local area network, you can observe or control another Mac on that network.
Mac 911
How to manage depth control in iPhone photos
Apple has several controls and settings related to recording and revising a sense of depth in photos on many of its iPhone models.
Mac 911
Apple Thunderbolt Display requires native Thunderbolt, not just USB-C
Apple’s favorite older display works with newer Macs only with a Thunderbolt port.
Mac 911
Downgrading iCloud+ storage? Be sure to retrieve your files properly
If you want to reduce your iCloud+ monthly storage fee, how can you be sure you aren’t losing files or media?
Mac 911
How to find out what devices are logged into your iCloud account
Feeling paranoid, justifiably or not? See a list of all devices associated with your iCloud account.
Mac 911
How to make noncontiguous selections in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote
Apple added a feature that’s decades old to its suite of "office" applications.
Mac 911
How to pay even more safely with Apple Cash
Apple added a new way to reduce the risk of reuse of your Apple Cash debit-card–like number by adding a "virtual" option.
Mac 911
How to remove a phone number from your Apple ID account without the phone
Apple has a few ways to let you disable a phone number that’s no longer available.
Mac 911
How to migrate away from iCloud+
Apple offers unique integrations for most of what it does. You might not find a perfect analog at lower cost, but they exist.
Mac 911
How the iPhone's Headphone Safety setting can affect your Bluetooth speaker's volume
A setting designed to prevent damaging your hearing can also throttle external speakers.
Mac 911
How to use two eSIMs in an iPhone at the same time
Apple sells its iPhones in a few configurations, but you can use two virtual SIMs in the last several years of models.
Mac 911
How to take advantage of Preview's form-filling helper in macOS
macOS added an option to try to identify fields in a PDF form so you can easily enter text or check boxes.
Mac 911
How to simplify AirDrop transfers by using proximity
AirDrop's ease of use gets even better with iOS 17’s option to get close.
Mac 911
How to move items between Mac apps using the App Switcher
A little mouse and tab action can help you reduce the time and number of windows you have to manage to move items.
Mac 911
How to manage Time Machine backups between APFS and HFS+ drives
Your HFS+ Time Machine volumes can give you a depth of recovery for older snapshots, but APFS is the way of the future.
Mac 911
How to tweak your Emergency SOS settings to match your intent
Emergency SOS offers remarkable, even automated help when something’s wrong. But review settings so you know exactly what will happen for what reason.
Mac 911
How to pause QuickTime Player while recording audio or video on a Mac
When you’re making an audio or video recording, you may want to pause and resume. You can!
Mac 911
Macs can't use as many displays as they have USB-C ports
Each model of Mac has peculiarities that require examining technical specs to figure out how many displays you can attach and of which kind.
Mac 911